MOTORISTS in Preston and South Ribble who use their mobile phones while driving are to be targeted in a new campaign by Lancashire Constabulary.

Police chiefs say that using a mobile phone is dangerous as it distracts the driver's attention and can cause fatalities.

There have been two fatal road collisions in Lancashire in the past two months caused by drivers using mobile phones.

Chief Inspector Val Prince, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: "While we appreciate the need for people to communicate on the road, holding a mobile phone means you are not in full control of your vehicle."

National research shows that people using a mobile phone when driving are four times more likely to have a collision than when driving with other background distractions, such as the radio.

Ch Insp Prince said: "You could easily veer off the road and collide with a pedestrian or a lamppost causing serious injury and possibly death. These are events that have actually happened.

"It is far safer not to use a telephone at all when driving."

Police said that using hands-free equipment does not help as they are also likely to distract driver's attention.